Jags' lineman charged with DUI, benched

MARK LONGAssociated Press Writer

Published Monday, November 13, 2006

JACKSONVILLE -- Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes was benched and fined Sunday following his arrest on drunk driving charges.

Barnes was driving his car faster than 100 mph and failed two breathalyzer tests early Saturday, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report. He spent several hours in the Duval County jail before being released on $500 bond.

"I thought he acted extremely selfishly from being out that late in the first place on a Friday night to putting himself and other people in our community at risk by the reckless driving. And on top of that he had the DUI citation," coach Jack Del Rio said following his team's 13-10 loss to Houston on Sunday.

According to the police report, Barnes was driving his 2007 silver Mercedes 101 mph in a 60 mph zone. His vehicle passed a police car and was pulled over. Barnes told the officer he had one drink at a club, but he then failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.12, according to the report, above the legal limit of 0.08.

It was the third arrest in three months for the Jaguars.

Cornerback Brian Williams pleaded no contest to drunken-driving charges in September. Last month, defensive end Bobby McCray was arrested for reckless driving and possession of a controlled painkiller. The drug charges later were dropped.

"He did not heed my warnings," Del Rio said. "I had spoken to the team about my concerns, about how dangerous it can be not only to himself or to a player's individual self, but also how dangerous it can be to anybody that you happen to run into at those speeds. I always talk about how important it is as individuals to make good choices.

"When you make choices like that, then you're going to deal with some consequences."

Barnes, a second-round draft pick from Washington in 2005, had started the last 20 games. Del Rio said he will be fined. He also was inactive and replaced in the starting lineup by Dennis Norman, who had never played an NFL game at tackle.

Norman was matched up most of the game against rookie Mario Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick. Williams had no sacks and just one tackle.

"It's tough to lose a guy like Khalif, but Dennis can play anywhere on this line," center Brad Meester said. "He held up well."